(ICC) Host New Zealand made short work of Canada to secure a commanding nine-wicket win, while England overwhelmed Hong Kong by the same margin in matches at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2010 in New Zealand yesterday.

Australia also enjoyed a comfortable victory over the USA, while Bangladesh faltered a little on its way to a five-wicket win over Papua New Guinea.

England batted confidently to overhaul Hong Kong’s 185 in the 31st over, James Vince leading the charge with a quality innings of 76 not out – earning him the man-of-the-match award.

England had set up the win by restricting Hong Kong and keeping the required run-rate to less than four per over. Wickets fell early thanks to Leicestershire quick bowler Nathan Buck, who bowled accurately and extracted lift and movement off the seam to remove the opening pair.

From 32-3 Hong Kong recovered with Irfan Ahmad and Nizakat Khan combining in a useful partnership of 64, Nizakat hitting hard to reach 50 from 57 balls. But he fell on 65, the top score of the innings, and Hong Kong had little else to offer against the English attack. The side was dismissed for 185 in 48.5 overs.

England openers Chris Dent and Joe Root scored freely from the outset, putting on 57 in run-a-ball rate, before Dent skied one and was caught off the left-arm medium pace of Niaz Ali for 33.

Root and Vince maintained a steady pace, Root bringing up his 50 off 65 balls and Vince registering his half-century from 45 deliveries three overs later. The pair completed a 100 partnership in just 104 balls. With little to trouble them, the pair sailed the side through to a well-deserved victory in the 32nd over – Root finishing unbeaten on 70 and Vince on 76.

Across the road at Lincoln No. 3, New Zealand never looked in trouble chasing down Canada’s modest total of 128. Openers Tom Latham and Harry Boam scored almost at will, reaching 75 before Latham hit one back to bowler Arsalan Qadir who took an outstanding catch.

Jimmy Neesham then took a merciless toll on Canada’s attack, smashing 22 off one Arsalan over, including a huge six over square leg. Canada had no response and Neesham hoisted the first ball of the 20th over well beyond the midwicket fence to end the game, reaching 130 for one in just the 20th over.

New Zealand had controlled the match from the outset, when captain Craig Cachopa won the toss and decided to bowl. Ben Wheeler stuck early, removing Hiral Patel in the second over. Ruvindu Gunasekera contributed a hard-hitting 20 off 24 balls, but the Canadians were unable to muster any lasting partnerships.

In Queenstown, Australia opened its U19 CWC account with a solid 108-run victory over the USA.

It was a strong all-round performance by the Australians with a positive batting approach and outstanding pace bowling which reduced the USA batting line-up to tatters.

Australia got off to a flyer through openers Nic Maddinson and Tom Beaton, hitting 82 in just over 12 overs. Beaton’s 73 included three sixes, while Jason Floros later chipped in with 33. Australia’s momentum was reined in with the loss of three wickets for 12 runs to leave them at 205 for seven in the 40th over, but all-rounder Tim Armstrong hit a run-a-ball 39 to push the total past 250. USA finally bowled Australia out for 262 in the 50th over.

Pacemen Alister McDermott and Josh Hazelwood greeted the USA batsmen with fiery opening spells and they failed to cope – reduced to 28 for seven within 10 overs. Muhammad Asad Ghous, with a plucky 30, and Azurdeen Mohammad arrested the slide, Mohammed scoring 70 to help the USA innings to 154, handing the Australians a 108-run victory.

The game in Palmerston North between Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea was reduced by rain to 46 overs a side, and although Bangladesh stuttered in their chase of 189, it eventually breezed to a five-wicket win.

PNG put up a respectable tally of 190 – compiled after a disastrous start as the Bangladesh pace attack had the batting side reeling at 52-5. Tony Ura and Sese Bau then saw the score through to 87-5 before rain delayed play after 24 overs. After the restart PNG was in a different a gear, Ura hitting all around the Park, putting on 70 for the sixth wicket with Bau. Captain Jason Kila also kept the scoreboard moving, smashing two fours and two sixes to boost the total to 191-9.

Chasing a rain-adjusted 189, Bangladesh also started badly, with the PNG quick bowlers taking early wickets to have the batsmen sweating at 77 for four.  But there was little else for the bowlers to smile about as Bangladesh kept up a frenetic pace of more than six runs an over. Mahmudul Hasan and Shabbir Rahman put on 77 for the fifth wicket, while Nur Hossain hit 24 from 18 to end the match.

Today’s matches see Sri Lanka play their first match against Zimbabwe in a televised contest from Lincoln. Bangladesh meet the West Indies, Ireland meet Australia, and India face Hong Kong.